Brian Caffarey - 30th December 2013

Salisbury City v Woking
3pm on Wednesday 1 January 2014

The Cards travel to Salisbury City on New Year’s Day hoping to gain quick revenge for their defeat on Boxing Day at the hands of the Whites. The Ray Mac Stadium has rarely been a happy hunting ground for Woking sides, however, and Garry Hill’s team will certainly have to play a lot better than they did on Boxing Day if they are to re-write the history books.

WOKING

The postponement of Saturday’s game at Dartford means that the team should be well rested compared with their opponents. Garry will be hoping that Jack Marriott can sign off his loan spell with another goal or two but Jack will have to do it without his strike partner, Scott Rendell, whose loan spell has ended.

SALISBURY CITY

The Whites worked hard at Kingfield on Boxing Day, succeeding in gradually smothering Woking in midfield while taking their own chances confidently. It wasn’t difficult to see how they’ve managed to put themselves within touching distance of the play-off places. They now sit in 8th position in the table, only two points behind fifth-placed Kidderminster Harriers with a game in hand. Their home record is impressive, with nine wins, two draws and two defeats, with 24 goals scored and 14 conceded.

On Saturday the Whites beat Barnet 2-1 at home, with goals coming from Chris McPhee and Jamie White.

The Cards Trust coach leaves Kingfield at 12 noon and costs £13 for members and £18 for non-members. Phone Rosemary Johnson on 01483 776609 to book your place.

By car

Follow A322 and M3, leaving at junction 8 to join the A303. Leave A303 at the Countess Roundabout / Amesbury Junction and carry on through the town onto the A345. Continue towards Salisbury, past the turn-off to Boscombe Down on the left, up the hill and through the traffic lights at High Post (a hotel and nightclub are on your right) and carry on down to the Beehive junction roundabout. There is a large white sign, clearly marked 'football ground' in brown writing at the bottom. Turn left, through the first small roundabout and then left into Partridge Way.

By train

Nearest station: Salisbury

Direct trains from Woking leave at 46 minutes past the hour, with a journey time of about an hour. The 12.46 train from Woking arrives at 13.45. For the return journey, trains leave at 27 minutes past the hour.

The station is nearly three miles from the ground, so a taxi or bus (from the bus station in Endless Street in the City Centre) will be needed.

The Cards drew first blood against the Whites, with Jack Marriott notching his tenth goal in ten games, but that was about as good as it got as the side gradually lost its way against a committed Salisbury side who packed the midfield and succeeded in stifling any attacking momentum from Garry Hill’s outfit. Woking’s cause wasn’t helped by poor defending on all three Salisbury goals. It was a shame that the Cards, after so many good performances of late, couldn’t put on a better display in front of their biggest home crowd of the season.